I have a similar starting issue. I own a 2023 Gasgas 300 GP. I purchased it in December of 2023. On sale in USA for a great price. I’m 150 pounds 5 foot 9 and 66 years old. My bike starts but takes a lot of energy. Leaning against a tree helps big time. I run about 100 octane gas. A trick I just learned was to put in first gear, rock it backwards till it stops then pull the clutch in and kick. seems to start first kick every time without leaning on something..I just ordered s3 head with the low compression insert. Hopefully that will make the kick easier. I will post how it works. I was also considering putting a 250 piston and cylinder on it. I recently started 2 different 2023 gasgas 250 GPs and they were easy to start. It’s the compression that makes it hard.
We have all been there. The roll back method works every time. I can start my 2023 flatfooted but only when it is warm and... not all the time. That 300 does take a serious kick to start on the compression stroke. I am also an older guy (a bit older than you) and am hoping as It gets ridden more, it will eventually soften up a bit. I am interested in how the low compression head works for you. I am not interested in doing that to my bike but am curious what you think after you have it installed. For example, any loss of power?
Glad to hear you guys are up and about. I have been practicing static balancing and although, I certainly am no expert, I am beginning to get the hang of it. Scottro, what did you end up with for final gearing? Butch, I am really glad to hear you are still able to start the beast. That is awesome. Yes, we do need to do a ride this summer, I am definitely up for it.
Some folks have said KTM fixed the problem but I do not know what they did. I use the roll back technique to start my bike. Starts pretty easy cold or hot.
That unfortunately is entitled competitive people for you , while you were a volunteer he was getting paid a good salary to be there , that was the bit that was not fair but Heh! . off on a tangent TTC looks like a great place for trials riders if you can get there, I only see it in the Ryan Young training videos but a lot of excellent terrain available , I wish it was on my door step..
Maybe another way to look at it is that Raga worked very hard to get to the level he is currently at. I'm sure he gets paid fairly well but, is probably under a lot of pressure to perform. It wouldn't surprise me to see anyone at that level stand up if they sincerely thought (rightfully or wrongfully) that they were being treated unfairly. Perhaps, after his seeing the split marker the argument ended?
We are the kick starter mechanism testers for the 2023 lol. Like you Scottro, I worry about that too but since lineaway said we don't have to split cases to repair it, it's a little less worrysome I guess. I keep reading and seeing on videos that something was changed on the 23 models ( even on the Gas Gas website) it's mentions that but nobody really explains what is different. I found a video of a European guy doing a test on a new one and he even mentions it. I always enjoyed doing my own work over the years ( only on 2 strokes) but I always hated having to get down in those cases. Captain Bob, you are only as old as you act and feel and I would put you around 44 years old lol! Seriously.
Yeah, I started trials in 1972 I could still ride expert if It did not hurt so much the next day! I turn 64 next week. My son rides very well. He rode his first event on a gas poweted bike at 30 months old. Lol. I have two grandsons that ride. 14 and 15. Hopefully I will see my great grabdson ride too.
Ahhh Lineaway, you are still a kid! 🙂 I turn 76 in early November. I retired from road racing in 2005. I discovered when I came off the bike I no longer bounced.... I splatted. lol BTW, as you get older, it doesn't get better. I understand about the aches and pains. I am too old to compete in Trials but really enjoy putting around on it.
Rolled the bike out and successfully started it cold with two reasonable kicks. Rode a few backyard laps stopping without putting a foot down, and just generally getting used to the bike. I shut it down 3-4:times to practice the roll- back and kick method. Took only 1 kick each time. Im getting so I can start it without putting much body weight into the kick. I'm thinking Butch should be able to do it even with the weight loss and leg issue.
It is a great technique. It really doesn't require much force on the kicker to get this beast running. I am sure Butch will nail this.
I have been here for 20 years, usually helping people. I called his bike that has never ran a pile. You decided I have a drinking problem. Who is the dick from the east coast? Typical.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! If the shoe fits..... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Captain b. You guys have managed to get this 23 Gasser thread to 6 pages. All the while not fixing the bike or anyhing to do with actually riding one. If we had a moderator it should be moved to the USA thread. God knows that thread needs some help. Or post it under the 4 newbies. I think you all might be drinking the kool aid yourselfs. A lot of BS about nothing.
Any how Butch, it will be great to hear if you ever get that thing running or not. You might even get to ride it someday. Or you could use that bike stand to show it off in your nan cave. LOL
You are a Dick! You do not know what you are talking about. You have yourself pretty high on that pedestal. Just another armchair warrior. Go away, we do not need your crap.
No I agree with you Captain Bob. .I don't understand why some people are like that to someone they know absolutely nothing about or understand their situation. But I think the spring rate is going to be fine. I saw their website. They sure have about anything you need down there. It's going to be fine for me. Like we were talking about, I don't plan on doing anything that will make a YouTube short with 6000 likes lol.
Some folks do not realize when they are tipping a few... they should stay off the keyboard! 😆
A Beta wasn't available. Actually here where I live there's not too many places to buy a trials bike or anything related to them. If you start asking about a trials motorcycle around here people assume your saying trail bike because they never heard of them. They look at you like your a one eyed cyclops. This is big time motocross country here. The neighbor kid looked at it and asked my wife what the hell is that? Hahaha 😆 Captain Bob I was wondering about how the spring change was. It sounds easy. One thing, where do you get the springs for oth a shock and forks? I could actually go a little softer after I ride it for awhile. And hopefully it's fine the way it is. We will see. I have the owners manual. Actually I got the print owners manual. I had to have it shipped from KTM. I wish someone made a shop repair manual. That would help a lot
I got the shock and fork springs from Trial Store USA. (trialstoreusa.com) They are good folks and will help you out. If I recall though, I think the stock springs should be good for your weight.
I noticed that Scottro. Your right almost everything is Torx. I have a small rail of Craftsman but mostly Harbor Freight bits. I had the craziest time trying to get the fender off! I wanted to check the air filter to make sure it's oiled. I've bought a Honda years ago and the filter was dry. I guess dealer prep forgot that lol. But yes the Gasser filter is ready to go. I took the one Torx screw out and couldn't figure out what was still holding it on. Then the good ole owners manual showed those 4 holes that snap in. It's actually pretty cool how they do that. I just hope the tabs don't eventually break off. I want to double check my shock settings yet too. Not sure where it is from the dealership and factory. I already did the forks. Fun bike to work on compared to others I've owned
Butch, your shock settings should all be at midpoint. The owners manual will tell you that. I put new springs (front and back) in my bike to accommodate my weight. I checked the settings and they were pretty much at midpoint. It was a piece of cake to remove the rear shock. Swapping the spring was even easier. Spring in the fork was a 5 minute job.
I am also on the side of.... See what you have first, before you change it. Ride it, break it in, get comfortable with it. After that, if you still need a change, go for it.
That is a significant gearing change. Being a newbie to Trials, is it a typical mod to gear down from stock gearing? I bet that thing putts rather nicely just idling in gear.
I got out today and practiced the roll back starting method. 'works very well. With boots on, I can get it started in 2-3 kicks. Also, I got the chain installed and properly tensioned for the 48 tooth rear sprocket I installed. I'm running a tooth or 2 smaller up front and 9-10 larger in the back. Throttle response is still very strong, but speed is much more small backyard friendly. I'm accelerating from 0-10 mph in first gear instead of 0-20. Makes a difference in a smaller yard with stockade fence all around and a couple parked cars to avoid. Lol. I think I'd like a stiffer throttle return spring while I'm learning, but I'll survive this one. I can comfortably putt putt around the yard in first gear at a walking pace without being constantly on the clutch and brakes. I still have a lot more gears if I wanna go fast.
Great! Glad you find the starting technique working for you. Remember, do not use throttle when starting either a cold or warm engine. I started my cold engine up yesterday with just one kick. When cold, use the choke. When warm, do not use the choke. Interesting about the sprocket changes. With that gearing you have, you must have instant power at your wrist. That thing must be a wheelie monster. 😮 Scottro, I do not recall, are you riding a 23 300 TXT?
That is good news Butch! I figured it would start. It should, it's a new bike. Wait till you try the rolling method. You are going to crap when you see how easy it is. You will not need your big heavy boots. Like I said earlier, Last time I started mine, I was wearing sneakers. I do not recommend that but, it can easily be done. When on the compression stroke, it does take a heavy fast kick. That is why getting on a stand and kicking it is easier (but still difficult to start). But, when you try the rolling method, you are going to be quite surprised. Still give it a fast kick. The kick will go through a lot easier than when on the compression stroke. BTW, when I had the mechanic start mine when I picked it up, he couldn't do it flatfooted. He needed to get a bike stand to stand on. The dealer told me there is a trick to these and once I figured it out, it would be OK. He never told me the trick though! I will shoot you a PM if we head out your way. That is a really good possibility. Maybe, within the next two weeks. Do not worry about the speech issue. I am also person with cancer issues. 10 years ago, I was told I had less than 6 months to live. But that is another story.... 🙂
I am sitting on the edge of my seat. 😬 Did you get the bike started? You are also giving me a good reason to take the wife on a road trip. We both are due. 😎
They are a pig to start, very hit and miss, I'm thinking of selling my 2022 as my right knee is a bit loose and the constant kicking and sudden stop on the foot peg is not good, I find if I can lean it against a tree and stand high in the pegs it starts easy, Obviously not easy stalled in an offcamber muddy hill, I might go TRS lecky start
retromic, try that rolling back technique. It was a game changer for me. She starts so easy now. My right knee is bone on bone plus, being almost 76 doesn't help. Just not as limber as I used to be.. I have zero difficulties starting the beast using that technique.
Glayne, when you kick the bike with WOT, you have the fuel shut off. It absolutely helps. That technique is SOP on a flooded two stroke. I just cleared a 100cc Yamaha twin 2 stroke that had sat for 10 years and had a ton of fuel in the crankcase. The only way (without disassembly) I could get the bike cleared and started was to kick with WOT. Lots of kicks! lol In terms of the 300 TXT, I will further say, kicking that beast over from its compression stroke is extremely difficult, especially for us older folks. I weigh 265lbs, been kickstarting bikes all my life and trying to start that beast cold in neutral on the compression stroke is impossible for me flatfooted. I occasionally get it started when warm flatfooted. When cold however, I have to get up on a stand or something. I have had a lot of guys a lot younger than me tell me they use a stand, rock, or lean the bike against a tree and stand on the pegs to aid in starting as well. And even when use the stand (cold engine) giving it a sharp fast kick with choke on and no throttle, she doesn't start easily. These bikes have a reputation for starting hard.
The rolling back techniques is child's play and she starts every time and works MUCH BETTER than the neutral sharp kick on the compression stroke. Maybe that's why they say different strokes for different folks? lol My guess is you are a much younger guy. I'm happy your TXT is an easy starter.
I do know the wide open throttle trick to clear a flooded engine, I would not suggest it in this case, possibly only after a good tip or flip over on these Gassers. Choke on, no throttle for cold start.
I have flooded my 300 TXT several times when I was first trying to figure out how to start it. I ended up having to kick it with a wide open throttle to clear it. Obviously, you turn it down when it starts. WOT is not an issue when clearing a flooded engine on these bikes. What is your reason for not using WOT?
I went to my garage and started my 300 TXT again today just for a test. It was a cold engine. I was wearing sneakers (a first!) and used the start procedure I outlined to you earlier. I did not use my stand this time but was flatfooted. It was a piece of cake. Started on the second kick. Choke was on and no throttle applied when I kicked it over. Very little resistance is felt when I kick the bike. BTW, I had forgotten to turn the gas on, and it still started. Don't forget to turn on the fuel petcock. It should be pointing downward.
You need to remember.... roll the bike backwards in gear until you are up against the compression. You need to do this for every kick. Squeeze in clutch, pull out kick starter and kick. Do not try to set the Kickstarter on the compression stroke. Leave it alone and just back the bike up till you hit compression, flip out the kick start lever and give it a healthy kick.
That being said, I think I would assume you have a flooded engine and you may want to try to start the bike a little differently. Do not put the choke on. Open the throttle wide open and follow the kick procedure I described. I would kick it that way a few times first just to clear any flooding condition out. Maybe 5 or 6 times. Use a stand to step on to make it easier. My guess is, she will fire up!
You are about 7 to 8 hours away from me. I am in Berlin, MA. A road trip might be fun. Let me think about it. Maybe grab the wife and get her out of the house for a couple days. 😁 Try the method I described and let me know how you make out.
Forgot to mention. Before, and when you give it a kick, hold the front brake lever to keep the bike steady. If you are old and feeble like me, you may need to lean the bike towards you a little to get your foot on the kick starter. That is why I mentioned to stand on a bike stand, stool or something, to lift you off the ground. Makes it easier. Once you get it started and see how easy this procedure is, you will not need the stand. Good luck!
2023 Gas Gas TXT 300
in Gas Gas
Posted
Great! I look forward to it. Thanks!